Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Remember, Remember, the 8th of November

Today marks an important day for the Order of DeMolay, as it is the day that our Founder, Frank S. Land, passed away. "Dad" Land created this great youth organization in 1919, and we are still going strong to this day, nearly celebrating 100 years of existence. His vision for a young men's youth organization has turned into a program that has helped young men grow into better leaders all over the world.

In DeMolay, November 8th is also known as "Frank S. Land Memorial Day," an obligatory day designed for us to pay tribute to "Dad" Land for giving us this incredible group to be proud of. Chapters are asked to celebrate in two ways: hold a program in memory of "Dad" Land, and donate money to a local or Masonic charity in memory of "Dad" Land.

As a Chevalier, this date also is the day that we promised "To hold communion with a fellow Chevalier, or Court of Chevaliers, wherever I may be, and should this be impossible, I will break bread with an active DeMolay or a young man in his teens." Chevaliers all over the world will get together to pay tribute to "Dad" Land. Some Chevalier Courts choose to observe this on a day closest to November 8th. My Chevalier Court celebrated at Fogo de Chao in Philadelphia on November 5th.

So thank you "Dad" Land, for giving us a group of friends that we can rely on, a Masonic family that is always there for us, and an extended family that cares about us the same way that our real families do. We salute you on this very special 8th of November.